Saturday, March 16, 2013Steubenville rape case is now up to the judgeA verdict is expected Sunday morning in the case that has drawn thousands of protesters and massive old, and new, media attentionby WKSU's M.L. SCHULTZE

Web EditorM.L. Schultze

In The Region:

A juvenile court judge plans to issue a verdict Sunday morning in the rape trial of two high school football players that has drawn international attention to Steubenville.

Visiting Judge Thomas Lipp is reviewing evidence in the trial of the 16- and 17-year-old football players. Local authorities all recused themselves from the case months ago to avoid an appearance of conflict.

The boys are accused of raping a 16-year-old girl during an alcohol-fueled night of partying last August, and she was among the last witnesses. She said she couldn’t remember what happened that night. Later she saw cell phone images of her -- and texts and a video of others joking about it.

Prosecutors say the girl was too drunk to consent to sex, and the boys knew it. But defense witnesses said she had a history of drinking and lying, and gave different accounts of what she remembered.

If the judge finds the boys the juvenile equivalent of guilty, they could be held in juvenile detention until they’re 21.